How to Nail the Interview: What to Do (and What to Avoid)

How to Nail the Interview: What to Do (and What to Avoid)

A great interview isn’t about sounding impressive—it’s about preparation, respect, and asking questions that make people want to open up. We’re sharing our tips for interviewing artists, execs, and everyone in between. 

DO: Prepare Like It’s Part Of The Job (Because It Is) 

Preparation is the foundation of every strong interview, before hitting record you should know who you’re talking to and why they matter right now. Preparation looks different for each journalist but this includes, reading recent interviews they have done, learning the interviewee’s background, and knowing where they fit into the larger industry or cultural conversation. 

After the research it’s time to write up some questions that will guide the conversation. You want to ask human questions. These are questions that leave room for reflection, ones that the interviewee will be able to tell you a story with. They will give you the best quotes, give more opportunities for followups and help the interview become a conversation. Try writing one sentence before the interview that answers this question: what do I want readers to understand about this person by the end? In doing so you are placing yourself in the listener's experience of what you're conveying. 

Take your mission seriously, and work for the audience, not yourself or someone you're trying to impress. Don’t be afraid to be stupid, it’s important to ask the questions of the listeners, not your own “clever” ones. 

DO: Be An Active Listener

If you are actively listening you are letting them answer the question completely and finish their thoughts before you jump in. Don’t rush into the next question on your list (take a beat in between each thought or story shared), this will help you pick up on emotional cues, pauses or offhand comments. If they say something unexpected don’t be afraid to lean into it and ask a follow up question! Moments like these are the most memorable parts of an interview. 

While preparing for the interview with a list of questions is important, a big part of listening is maintaining eye-contact to let them know you are listening and care about what they have to say! If you look at your papers too much instead of them, they'll feel you're not actually listening. Try to prioritise what is actually happening, rather than your own preparations. Connect with them, respond to what is said, show that you’re paying attention and remember that a follow up question is almost always better than the next one on your notepad. 

DO: Always Have Back-up Equipment

Always have a backup recording system set up! Whether it’s an online interview or an in person one, always have two devices recording the interactions (after receiving permission from the interviewee of course…never record someone without their permission, and never include topics they deem are “off the record” beforehand, honoring that is part of your duty as a journalist). Additionally be sure to save your recordings in two separate places to avoid losing your verbal notes. 

Don’t Ask Questions You Can Just Google 

The worst thing you can do in an interview is show that you didn’t do your homework. Never start an interview with “how did you get started” or “what’s your role” those are questions that you can google and find out! Instead of asking questions like that, build on top of the basics. Ask follow-ups that give you more about the basics. Questions like these show respect for their time and invite answers that go beyond surface level storytelling. 

DON’T End The Interview Without Giving Them Space

Before wrapping up, ask a broad or open-ended question that gives them an opportunity to share any thoughts they wanted to earlier that they may have missed or skipped over, and gives you an opportunity to get a thoughtful closer for your interview. 

DON’T Make It About You

Your job isn’t to prove how connected, knowledgeable or passionate you are. It’s okay to relate briefly–only if it helps build rapport or comfortability–but keep it international and minimal. If you find yourself talking more than the person you are interviewing it’s time to reset. Remember curiosity is more compelling than commentary! 

DON’T Admit You’re Nervous

Never start the interview by admitting you are nervous. What this can do is make you doubt yourself even more than you really need to. So don’t say, don’t even think about it! 

While the other person might even find it sweet, what you just did is set the tone of the rest of the interview and made sure that even if it does go perfectly fine, your subconscious will do everything in its power to ruin it for you by making you focus on that feeling. Confidence is everything! Try to come off as professional (yet not too stiff), and save all the fangirling for later.

Don’t Get Right Into It

Another valuable lesson I’ve learned later on is that you can build up the confidence you need by taking the time to get the interviewee chatting a little before the interview. Nothing too big, simply exchange a few pleasantries and then get to all the questions. It helps set the tone for the interview. 

You might not always have the time to get to know a musician better before the interview, if for example they have another journalist coming in after you or if they are about to hit the stage. However, something as simple as introducing yourself and asking about their trip there or their tour so far can help you break the ice and build up the confidence you need to nail the actual interview.

Don’t Treat Silence As The Enemy

A pause doesn’t mean you need to fill space, sometimes silence gives the interviewee room to think–and often, they’ll continue with something deeper than their initial answer. Let the quiet breathe. You might be surprised what comes next. 

BOTTOM LINE

A great interview isn’t about control, it's about connection when you show up prepared, listen with intention and ask questions rooted in genuine curiosity, people feel it. Remember that it's your conversation to be in control of. Be Curious. Do the work. Ask better questions. Avoid the traps. If you’re doing it right? It won’t feel like an interview–it’ll feel like a real conversation people actually want to lean into.